After our lunch at The Commons one recent Friday, my friend Sarah and I indulged in a tasting at Brian Carter Cellars.
With all the many tasting rooms in Woodinville to choose from, I have to say it was Brian Carter Cellars‘ beautiful patio that drew us in. (The near proximity and easy walk from The Commons wasn’t a small part of our consideration, either!)
Inside we found a spacious tasting room and friendly tasting room hostess – wish I had not forgotten her name!
Here’s a wine tasting table that likely fills up during busy summer weekends.
I adore the little potted flowers that bring cheer to this space!
A display offers some wine themed gifts and snack options, plus wine bottles of course.
Another chance to shop for wine themed gifts and accessories! Luckily I was able to control my shopping urges – this time!
Here’s a look at Brian Carter Cellars’ current seasonal and limited edition wines. I’m really curious about the Opulento, though I generally only drink port wine in the middle of winter.
We took note of the current core collection of Brian Carter wines, and began our tasting adventure. I’m coming back soon to pick up another couple bottles of Abracadabra rosé.
I enjoyed the Oriana (Latin for “Golden lady”) white blend and bought a bottle to bring home. It’s 53% Viognier, 35% Roussanne, and 12% Riesling.
I was very much looking forward to tasting the Abracadabra rosé, and I was not disappointed by it! Sarah and I enjoyed it enough to each bring a bottle home.
The tasting fee of course was returned to us when we purchased our bottles of wine. I brought home the Tuttorosso, the Abracadabra rosé and the 2015 Oriana. Sarah chose the Abracadabra red blend as well as her bottle of the Abracadabra rosé.
After our tasting pours from the enthusiastic and knowledgeable employee, Sarah and I couldn’t think of a nicer place to sit around gossiping than this lovely patio.
We saved our last pour from the tasting to take out and enjoy on the patio, chatting all the while and taking notes on each others’ busy summer schedules.
I forgot to ask the story behind this decorative vine in front of the patio!
I often drive by in the afternoon and see this patio full of happy wine tasters. I’m always jealous and wish I could stop and join them!
I wish winery tasting rooms would stay open past 6pm more often. This would be a great place to drink wine and listen to music in summer evenings, perhaps even past dusk.
I’m not sure of the licensing requirements or business choices that lead to so many tasting rooms closing at a disappointingly early 6pm. Most of my friends don’t even get off work until 6pm, and it would be difficult to fight traffic north into Woodinville to arrive before 6pm anyway.
So I’m glad Sarah and I had the day off on a quiet Friday early afternoon to enjoy the tasting here!
-Carrie
RESOURCES:
Brian Carter Cellars on Facebook
Brian Carter Cellars on Instagram
Brian Carter Cellars on Pinterest
Brian Carter Cellars on Twitter
